A wide-ranging career in the Engineers

In 2009, Maj Lee was accepted into the Regular Officer Training Plan at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), where he pursued a degree in Civil Engineering. Throughout his four years at RMC, he remained highly engaged in sports, further developing the leadership, teamwork and physical resilience that would support his military career.

Upon graduating in 2013, Maj Lee completed both the Basic Engineer Officer Course Phase 3 and Phase 4 as the top candidate, setting a strong foundation for his professional career. He was subsequently posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, where he served as a Troop Commander in 11 Field Squadron in 2014.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Maj Lee pursued Combat Diver qualification in 2014. After successfully completing the demanding selection process, he was selected as the officer candidate from 1 CER and, following 12 weeks of intense training, earned Combat Diver Number 670, an achievement attained by only a select few. This was followed by a deployment on Operation (Op) UNIFIER, where he contributed to international training efforts.

Upon returning to Canada, Maj Lee served for two years as the Executive Assistant to the 3rd Canadian Division Commander, continuing to demonstrate exceptional professionalism and initiative. In 2018, he successfully completed Special Operations Assaulter Selection and was offered an employment opportunity with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. At a pivotal crossroads in his career, Maj Lee chose to remain within the Canadian Army, prioritizing continued service in the conventional operational environment, which he believes is his true calling, while maintaining balance between his professional and personal life.

That same year, Maj Lee represented Canada in the Aumangea Programme in New Zealand. It is an elite resilience and self‑leadership program designed to push soldiers to their physical, mental and emotional limits in austere and unpredictable environments. Embodying the very meaning of “Aumangea”—strength, courage, determination, resilience and perseverance—Maj Lee distinguished himself as the top candidate and was awarded the prestigious Les Ball Memorial Cup. Voted on by peers, the award recognizes the individual who best reflects the core warrior values of the program.

In 2019, Maj Lee was posted to Vancouver as the Operations Officer for 39 Canadian Brigade Group, where his leadership continued to flourish. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, he played a key leadership role in Op LASER, earning a Canadian Joint Operations Command Commander’s Commendation for his contributions.

Promoted to his current rank in 2021, Maj Lee returned to 1 CER as the Officer Commanding (OC) of 17 Armoured Engineer Squadron. Transitioning from a primarily dismounted background to an armoured role, he once again stepped outside his comfort zone. As Squadron OC, he led meaningful cultural and operational changes within the armoured engineer community. He also helped set the conditions for deploying armoured engineer capabilities on future Op REASSURANCE rotations in support of the Canada‑led multinational battle group in Latvia. That same year, he deployed on Op LENTUS during the British Columbia floods, earning a Joint Task Force West Commendation for his leadership under demanding domestic conditions.

Maj Lee’s personal drive extends well beyond his professional duties. In 2023, he decided to compete in Exercise MOUNTAIN RAM endurance event, signing up only a few days prior to the race to lead by example and represent 1 CER. He completed the 50‑plus‑kilometre race without prior preparation and finished fourth overall, one of the best results in 1 CER history.

Another reflection of his exceptional mental resilience and physical conditioning is his repeated platinum—top 0.1 per cent—scores on the FORCE Test.

In 2022, Maj Lee took command of 12 Field Squadron before deploying to Latvia on Op REASSURANCE, where he led engineering teams delivering critical infrastructure projects. His outstanding leadership earned him the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation. Following his return, he served as an OC in 18 Administrative Squadron, where he tackled complex logistical and administrative challenges and again demonstrated his adaptability and commitment to mission success.

In 2023, Maj Lee was selected as the Aide‑de‑Camp to Lieutenant‑General Derek Macaulay, the Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command in South Korea. While serving in a demanding staff role, he continued to pursue personal excellence linked back to his proud Korean heritage. He completed a 100‑kilometre endurance event in 14 hours and 48 minutes, finishing 17th overall, and consistently participated in marathons and half‑marathons to maintain elite physical readiness. In late 2025, he achieved another milestone by completing the Basic Parachutist Course, further strengthening his qualifications for continued service in the operational stream.

Maj Lee’s career and accomplishments have inspired his friends and peers in the CAF, including the author, who served with him as part of 17 Armoured Squadron.